NURS-NURSING (NURS)
NURS 1110. Pre-Nursing Freshman Seminar
1 Credit (1)
This Freshman seminar provides an introduction to the university and its resources, an orientation to the pre-nursing curriculum, and overview of concepts for professional nursing practice. Emphasis is placed on exploring the nurse’s role as an integral member of the healthcare team across multiple contexts and settings, and developing a professional identity. Consent of Instructor required.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop strategies for transitioning to university life and a pathway to the nursing program, through evaluating knowledge, skill, and experience strengths and deficits. Understand the role nurses and other interprofessional partners play in addressing issues regarding the patient experience across multiple healthcare settings. Identify and examine cultural, professional and personal beliefs and values of nurses as they relate to patient care and working in multidisciplinary teams. Begin to explore nursing careers in a variety of healthcare settings, across the nation.
NURS 120. Introduction to Pharmacology
3 Credits (3)
General principles of pharmacology including methods of administration, effect on the body, interactions with other drugs, and classification of drugs. Focus on the health care provider's role in safe pharmacologic intervention. May be repeated up to 3 credits. Crosslisted with: HIT 120. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only.
NURS 130. Foundations of Pharmacology
3 Credits (3)
This course provides the nursing student with an introduction to the foundations of pharmacology including: science of drug action, principles of medication administration, accurate calculation of drug doses, medication therapy across the lifespan, application of medications to treat health alterations, normal and adverse responses by the client to medication therapy, medication safety, medication regulation, national patient safety goals, and appropriate nursing interventions to achieve the desired goals of medication therapy. Only students who have been admitted to the nursing program may enroll in this course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Corequisite(s): NURS 147 & NURS 149.Restricted to: NUR majors.
NURS 134. Foundation of Nursing Skills and Assessment
3 Credits (1+6P)
This course provides nursing students with introductory nursing knowledge related to performance of nursing skills and assessment including: techniques of fundamental nursing care, basic and intermediate nursing skills, and foundational physical assessment techniques associated with care across the lifespan. Open to students who have been accepted into the nursing program. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Corequisite(s): NURS 136 & NURS 137 or permission of the Program Director.
NURS 136. Foundations of Nursing Practice
6 Credits (4+6P)
This course will introduce the nursing student to foundational theoretical concepts of professional nursing practice, the nursing process, and foundational nursing skills. It includes developmental concepts related to clients across the lifespan. Clinical experiences in the simulation lab, long-term care, the community, and rehabilitation settings will provide the student with the opportunity to apply learned skills to provide total care to meet needs of one adult client and to develop care planning skills related to actual problems. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of the course. Only students who have been admitted to the nursing program may enroll in this course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
NURS 137. Care of Geriatric Patient
3 Credits (3)
This course will introduce the nursing student to foundational concepts of age-appropriate/specific care of the older adult who represents the largest population of individuals placing demands on the healthcare system. It includes basic and complex concepts and issues related to care of the older client across the care continuum, provision of cost-effective care in a resource sparse environment. Only students who have been admitted to the nursing program may enroll in this course. Students must be admitted into the nursing program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NURS majors. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only.
NURS 140. Pathophysiology for Allied Health Professionals
3 Credits (3)
Introduction to the nature of disease and its effect on body systems. Deals with the disease processes affecting the human body via an integrated approach to specific disease entities. Includes a review of normal functions of the appropriate body systems. Diseases are studied in relationship to their etiology, pathology, physical signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, complication, treatment modalities, and prognosis. Restricted to Allied Health and Health Information Technology majors. Restricted to:Community Colleges only.
NURS 146. Common Health Deviations
6 Credits (4+6P)
Common health deviations and the manner by which they alter various body functions are explored. The role of the licensed practical nurse in assisting clients with common health deviations is presented. Ethical and legal implications and the role of the practical nurse are also considered. The licensed practical nursing student will utilize the application of knowledge to client care situation both in the subacute and acute care settings. The nursing process is presented as guide for coordinating client care. Grade of C or better. May be repeated up to 6 credits. Restricted to: NURSING majors. Restricted to Carlsbad campus only.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 153, NURS 156, NURS 154, NURS 157, and NURS 210 or consent of program director.
NURS 147. Adult Health I
6 Credits (4+6P)
This course focuses on application of the nursing process and theoretical concepts of care for adults with commonly occurring health problems. Selected clinical learning experiences in the simulation lab, acute care, and community settings will allow the student to continue development of: prioritization skills, proficiency in performance of nursing skills, collaborative skills with clients, families, peers and health care team members, care planning skills related to patient actual, psychosocial, and potential problems in the delivery of total nursing care to meet needs of one adult client. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of the course. Only students who have been admitted to the nursing program may enroll in this course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only.
NURS 149. Mental Health Nursing
3 Credits (2+3P)
This course will allow the nursing student to develop skills necessary to provide nursing care for clients with mental health problems in various health care settings including: common mental health disorders, psychosocial dysfunction, psychosocial safety/substance abuse issues, violence, suicide, restraints, developmental age related pathophysiology, psychopharmacology, cultural/religious considerations, grief/loss, promotion of mental health, and therapeutic communication. Selected clinical learning experiences in the simulation lab, acute care, and community settings will allow the student to develop ability to develop: proficiency in performance of nursing skills, collaborative skills with clients, families, peers and health care team members, care planning skills related to patient actual, psychosocial, and potential problems in the delivery of total nursing care to meet needs of one client across the life span with acute/chronic mental health needs. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of this course. Only students who have been admitted to the nursing program may enroll in this course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program in order to enroll in the course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
NURS 150. Medical Terminology
3 Credits (3)
Understanding of the basic elements of medical words. Use of medical abbreviations. Same as OEHO 120 and BOT 150. May be repeated up to 3 credits. Crosslisted with: BOT 150, AHS 120 and HIT 150.
NURS 153. Medication and Dosage Calculation
1 Credit (1)
Techniques of dosage calculation for medication and fluid administration. RR applicable. Students must meet NMSU basic skills requirement in mathematics to enroll in this course.
NURS 154. Physical Assessment
2 Credits (2)
Beginning techniques of physical assessment by systems will be presented using the nursing process as a guide for providing safe client centered care throughout the life span. Grade of C or better is required. May be repeated up to 2 credits. Restricted to: NURSING majors. Restricted to Carlsbad campus only.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1130 or BIOL 2210.
NURS 155. Special Topics
1-4 Credits
Specific subjects to be announced in the Schedule of Classes.
NURS 156. Basic Nursing Theory and Practice
6 Credits (4+6P)
Introduction to the nursing profession and the beginning skills of nursing practice as it relates to normalcy. The nursing process is presented as a means of guiding the student in providing safe client centered care. Ethical and legal aspects of nursing practice are also included. Basic clinical nursing skills will be presented and practiced in the nursing lab. The student will perform these skills with clients in an actual health care setting. May be repeated up to 6 credits. Consent of Program Director requires. Restricted to: NURSING majors. Restricted to Carlsbad campus only.
NURS 157. Maternal/Child Health Deviations
8 Credits (6+6P)
This course introduces the student to the concepts and principles of nursing care of the family from conception to adolescence. Utilizing the assessment, analyzing, planning, and implementation phases of the nursing process (the Care map), the student focuses on the supportive-educative nursing system to assist members of the family in meeting self-care requisites and how they are affected by the health deviations common to each developmental level beginning with conception and ending with adolescence. Knowledge gained in theoretical instruction is then applied to the patient care situation. After an introduction to the necessary clinical skills in the campus laboratory setting, students will participate in clinical experiences with the focus on the family from conception to adolescence. The assessment, analysis, planning, and implementation phases of the nursing process are emphasized as a tool to assist patients in meeting universal and developmental self-care requisites. Utilizing the nursing process, the student provides safe, client-centered care to diverse clients and families. Theoretical instruction is applied to client care situations. Students collaborate with clients, families, and the interdisciplinary team in meeting health care needs. Experiences may occur in the physician’s office, local health department, day care centers, schools, or the hospital. Grade of C or better required. Restricted to: NURSING majors. Restricted to Carlsbad campus only.
Prerequisite: NURS 156, NURS 153, and NURS 154.
Corequisite: NURS 210.
Learning Outcomes
- Determine how values of clients, families and medical personnel impact the involvement of clients in their health care related to maternal/child and pediatric clients. Implement individualized client care utilizing an evidenced based approach related to maternal/child and pediatric clients. Choose health protection, health promotion, and disease prevention strategies in the care of maternal/child and pediatric clients. Apply the scope, risk factors, physiologic processes, and clinical management strategies to maternal/child and pediatric clients. Choose resources for continuity of client care related to maternal/child and pediatric clients. Give examples of significant information to report to other disciplines. Apply the principles of delegation in the provision of client care with maternal/child and pediatric clients. Utilize evidenced based information to implement a plan of care and employ nursing interventions for maternal/child and pediatric clients. Use the principles of ethical practice in the delivery of nursing care for maternal/child and pediatric clients. 1 Apply policies, procedures and standards of care related to maternal/child and pediatrics in the provision of client care. 1 Apply nursing interventions to reduce risk of harm to self and others related to maternal/child and pediatric clients. 1 Choose available technology for delivery of nursing care related to maternal/child and pediatric clients.
NURS 201. Special Topics
1-4 Credits
Specific topics to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated for a maximum of 10 credits. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Prerequisite: admission to the nursing program.
NURS 209. Independent Study
1-4 Credits
Individual studies to meet identified student needs. May be repeated for a maximum of 10 credits. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Prerequisite: admission to the nursing program.
NURS 210. Pharmacological Requisites of the Childbearing Family
1 Credit (1)
Basic concepts of pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics, and their relationship to nursing care will be discussed focusing on medications commonly utilized with the childbearing family. Medication classes to be discussed include labor and delivery, analgesic, vitamins, respiratory, gynecological, endocrine, and anti-microbial/anti-infective drugs. Grade of C or better required.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 153, NURS 154 and NURS 156.
Corequisite(s): NURS 157.
Learning Outcomes
- Effective communication skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Basic critical thinking skills including problem identification, evidence acquisition, evidence evaluation, and reasoning/conclusion. An understanding of personal and social responsibility. An ability to apply the fundamental concepts of quantitative reasoning in mathematics and science. Appropriate information and digital literacy, and skills for personal and professional use.
NURS 211. Pharmacological Requisites of Simple Health Deviations
1 Credit (1)
Basic concepts of pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics, and their relationship to nursing care are addressed focusing on medications related to the psychiatric, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, gynecological, hematological, and anti-neoplastic client. Grade of C or better required. Restricted to: Carlsbad campus only.
Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2210 and BIOL 2225 and NURS 153,NURS 154, NURS 156, NURS 157 and NURS 210.
NURS 212. Pharmacological Requisites of Complex Health Deviations
1 Credit (1)
Basic concepts of pharmacology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacotherapeutics, and their relationship to nursing care is examined focusing on medications related to complex health deviations. Drug classes to be discussed include cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, and neurological. Grade of C or better required.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 153, NURS 154, NURS 156, NURS 157, NURS 246, NURS 258, NURS 210 and NURS 211.
Corequisite(s): NURS 256 and NURS 260.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply principles of teaching/learning in educating clients on the use, adverse effects and interactions of pharmacotherapeutic agents used to treat complex health deviations. Collaborate with members of the health care team in the delivery of pharmacotherapeutics to clients with complex health deviations. Give examples of commonly prescribed drugs used to treat clients with complex health deviations and related pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Discuss the relationship between the use of pharmacotherapeutics and the treatment of disease in clients with complex health deviations. Identify safety issues and minimize risk potential associated with pharmacotherapeutics.
NURS 224. Maternal Child Nursing
5 Credits (4+3P)
This course provides the intermediate nursing student with an in-depth review of care of the childbearing woman, family structures and roles, and nursing care of the child from birth through adolescence. Emphasis includes the care of pre-partum, intra-partum and postpartum clients, the neonate and health deviations in pediatric clients. Clinical experiences in the simulation lab, the community, and acute care settings will provide the student with the opportunity to apply learned skills to provide total care to meet needs of up to two adult, neonatal, or pediatric clients and to apply care planning skills related to actual, psychosocial and potential problems. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of the course. Only students who have been admitted to the nursing program may enroll in this course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
NURS 226. Adult Health II
6 Credits (4+6P)
This course focuses on application of nursing process and theoretical concepts of care for adults with complex health alterations. Selected clinical learning experiences in the simulation lab, acute care, and community settings will allow the student to apply: prioritization skills, maintain proficiency in performance of nursing skills, collaborative skills with clients, families, peers and health care team members, and care planning skills related to patient actual, psychosocial, and potential problems in the delivery of nursing care to meet needs of three adult clients. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of the course. Only students who have been admitted to the nursing program may enroll in this course. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
NURS 235. Nursing Leadership and Management
1 Credit (1)
This course introduces the intermediate nursing student to professional practice principles of nursing leadership and management including: health policy and politics, fiscal management & budgeting, conflict management, decision making, interdisciplinary practice, working with teams, roles in disaster planning and management, application of standards of care to risk management, organization of care delivery, health care systems, processes, and practice environments. May be repeated up to 1 credits. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to Community Colleges campuses only.
NURS 236. Nursing Preceptorship - Adult Health III
6 Credits (2+12P)
This course is the final course involving care of the patient with acute or chronic illness. It focuses on care of patients with complex or multi-system problems allowing the graduating nursing student to discuss and apply all the skills learned in previous nursing courses. After successfully passing the HESI exam, students have clinical practice with preceptor in various health care settings. Selected clinical learning experiences in the simulation lab, acute care, and community settings will allow the student to: organize care of a group of clients, maintain proficiency in performance of nursing skills, collaborate with clients, families, peers and health care team members, and support care planning skills related to patient actual, psychosocial, and potential problems in the delivery of nursing care to meet needs of the preceptors group of clients. Students must be concurrently enrolled in both the lecture and lab sections of the course. Only students who have been admitted to the nursing program and have successfully completed all level 1, 2 and 3 nursing courses may enroll in this course. Clinical may include inpatient or outpatient care, days, evenings, nights, or weekend experiences. Students are required to work the preceptors assigned schedule. NCLEX Review must be done concurrently. Students must be admitted into the Nursing Program to enroll in this course. Restricted to: NUR majors. Restricted to: Community Colleges only.
Corequisite(s): NURS 201.
NURS 246. Health Deviations I
7 Credits (4+9P)
Introduction to medical/surgical clients, whose health care needs are routine and predictable. Focus is on simple health deviations, including concepts relative to health promotion and maintenance. The nursing process is utilized to provide evidenced based, safe client centered care. Students are expected to apply clinical judgment, communicate and collaborate with clients and the interdisciplinary team in providing care for a group of two to three clients. Grade of C or better required. May be repeated up to 7 credits. Restricted to: Nursing majors. Restricted to Carlsbad campus only.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 153, NURS 156, NURS 154, NURS 157 and NURS 210.
NURS 256. Health Deviations II
8 Credits (6+12P)
Concepts and principles applied to clients with complex health deviations. Building upon knowledge gained in NURS 246, focus will be on acutely ill clients. The nursing process continues to serve as a guide to provide safe, client centered care. The student collaborates with the interdisciplinary team in all aspects of client care. Student experiences the role of the staff nurse under the guidance and direction of the nursing instructor. Grade of C or better required. May be repeated up to 8 credits. Restricted to: Nursing majors. Restricted to Carlsbad campus only.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 153, NURS 154, NURS 156, NURS 157, NURS 210, NURS 211, NURS 246, and NURS 258.
Corequisite(s): NURS 212,NURS 260.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply each step of the nursing process as a method of organizing the nursing care for patients with complex health deviations. Discuss the patient’s health care needs that occur as a result of complex health deviations. Explain methods the nurse can employ in allowing the patient to assume the right and responsibility for his own care. Incorporate the concepts and principles derived from the biological, developmental, social, nutritional and computer sciences and nursing knowledge that relate to the nursing care of patients with complex health deviations. Explain the roles and functions of the members of the health care team including ancillary personnel as they relate to the care of patients with complex health deviations. Explain the rationale for the performance of the following technical skills: a. EKG monitoring; b. Rhythm strip interpretation; c. Hemodynamic monitoring and interpretation; d. Tracheal suctioning Recognize the nurse's role in establishing a therapeutic relationship with patients experiencing complex health deviations.
NURS 258. Psychosocial Requisites: A Deficit Approach
3 Credits (2+3P)
Nursing theory and practice as it relates to the care of the client experiencing psychosocial health deviations. The role of the nurse is discussed along with the ethical and legal aspects of care for the client with psychosocial disorders. Building upon the communication skills of listening and responding, the student develops the therapeutic skills of interpersonal relationships. Grade of C or better is required. May be repeated up to 3 credits. Restricted to: Nursing majors. Restricted to Carlsbad campus only.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 153, NURS 154, NURS 156, NURS 157, NURS 210, and NURS 246.
NURS 260. Management of Patients with Health Deviations
2 Credits (2)
A capstone course to the nursing program in which principles in management and delegation to less prepared personnel is explored. A review of leadership roles, legal issues, quality initiatives, informatics and scope of practice is included. Preparation for the NCLEX is an integral portion of the course. Grade of C or better is required. May be repeated up to 2 credits. Restricted to: Nursing majors. Restricted to Carlsbad campus only.
Prerequisite(s): NURS 153, NURS 154, NURS 156, NURS 157, NURS 210, NURS 211, NURS 246, and NURS 258.
Corequisite(s): NURS 212, NURS 256.
Learning Outcomes
- Discuss nursing practice concepts relevant to the practice of professional nursing. Evaluate principles of quality improvement and safety into nursing practice within healthcare organizations and systems. Apply leadership concepts through the application of policies that apply to healthcare delivery. Promote a culture of safety through anticipating and eliminating potentially harmful situations. Collaborate in systems analysis when clinical errors or near misses occur to reduce harm, minimize blame, and encourage transparency. Integrate evidence in determining best clinical practice. Demonstrate basic knowledge of healthcare policy, finance, and regulatory environments, including local, state, national, and global healthcare trends. Use an ethical framework to evaluate the impact of policies of healthcare, especially for vulnerable populations.